The objectives of this study were to analyse drug related problems (DRP) detected in patients at a community pharmacy,
to classify them in accordance with the categories of necessity, effectiveness and safety, and to evaluate the communication
channel used to solve the problem. The Dáder Program methodology for pharmacotherapy following at community
pharmacies, was proposed by the Research Group for Pharmaceutical Care at the University of Granada.
A total of 44 DRPs were detected over a period of 16 months, of which 75% were successfully resolved. The distribution
of DRPs in accordance with the three basic categories of drug therapy were as follows: indication 31.8% (DRP 1 & 2),
effectiveness 34.1% (DRP 3 & 4) and safety 34.1% (DRP 5 & 6). A successful outcome was achieved in 72.4% of the
DRPs when a physician was contacted in order to resolve the problem, while 66.7% of the cases were resolved successfully
through direct pharmacist intervention with the patient. The main therapeutic groups predominating in DRPs were:
antihypertensives, lipid-lowering drugs and antidiabetics. New strategies are necessary in order to overcome barriers and
in so doing, increase the number of patients receiving pharmacotherapy following service. This may be achieved through
an improvement in communication techniques with the patient and a greater integration of the community pharmacy
within the health system.